Melton council will investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to homelessness in the municipality.
Cr Julie Shannon moved a motion during last week’s council meeting, calling on officers to present a detailed report to council about the pandemic’s impact.
“[I move] that council officers present a detailed report back to council, drawing from any council services and any other applicable local organisations, including not for profits, on the following; how COVID-19 has contributed to the issue of homelessness in our municipality, including hidden homelessness such as couch-surfing and other casual accommodation options, and also people that are at high risk of homelessness,” Cr Shannon said.
According to the 2016 Census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), more than 300 Melton residents were homeless.
A report into the causes of homelessness by the ABS, titled ‘Census of Population and Housing: Estimating Homelessness’ listed youth homelessness, overcrowding, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander homelessness as key areas that may be driving the homeless rate.
The motion was carried unanimously, with council officers expected to begin engaging and collating data for a report, set to be presented in a future council meeting.
Michaela Meade
